Brake failure blamed in crash

By Shawn McGrath, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer

April 18, 2009 09:32 pm

— PENDLETON — A teen girl from Peru suffered minor injuries when the car she was driving crashed into railroad tracks at the entrance to the Pendleton Correctional Facility on Saturday.
Indiana State Trooper Corey Berfield of the Pendleton Post said a 17-year-old girl was traveling southbound on Indiana 67 at about 3:45 p.m., and was in the turn lane approaching the prison grounds. The teen was driving a 1994 Pontiac Bonneville, and as she turned right into the prison grounds, the car’s brakes failed.
The Pontiac continued straight off Ind. 67 on the west side, striking the tracks and likely causing the car to go airborne. The vehicle spun 90 degrees and slid on the tracks, coming to a rest across them, Berfield said.
Police are not releasing the driver’s name because she is a juvenile. She had a complaint of neck pain and was taken to Saint John’s Medical Center. Her condition wasn’t available late Saturday, but her injuries weren’t believed to be life-threatening.
The Pontiac suffered “massive” damage, Berfield said. Along with front-end damage, the car’s oil pan and rear axle were broken.
The girl’s speed at the time of the crash isn’t known, Trooper Scott Keegan said. The impact, however, was enough to bend one of the rails.
“I don’t know if CSX will go out and straighten it or replace it,” Keegan said.
CSX representatives couldn’t be reached for comment.
An 18-year-old female passenger, also from Peru, was not injured, Keegan said. Her name was also not released.
Keegan said the driver was visiting a relative at the prison.

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